New Delhi, Sept 23, 2025 : In a historic moment, the legendary, and super talented Malayalam actor Mohanlal was conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country’s highest recognition in filmmaking. The veteran actor received a standing ovation as he took the stage to accept the honour, marking a monumental achievement in his illustrious career.
In a moving acceptance speech, Mohanlal said, “As a representative of the Malayalam industry, the youngest and only the second awardee from Kerala, I feel this recognition is not mine alone, it belongs to our entire cinematic fraternity. This is a shared legacy of creativity that we’ve built together.”
He further revealed how deeply emotional the moment was for him, adding, “When I received the news from the Centre, I was overwhelmed, not just by the honour, but by the responsibility to carry forward the voice of our cinematic tradition.”
The award places Mohanlal among the legendary few to have received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, solidifying his place in the pantheon of Indian cinema greats.
I am ecstatic says Amitabh Bachchan, congratulating Mohanlal for receiving the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award
Adding to the moment’s gravitas, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan took to social media to congratulate Mohanlal. Sharing a still from the iconic Malayalam film Narasimham, Bachchan wrote,
“I am happy, Mohanlal ji, that you have received the Dadasaheb Phalke award. I am ecstatic. This is the most deserving recognition. I have always admired your work and your ability to portray deep emotions with incredible simplicity. May your talent continue to inspire us all.”
Meanwhile, the National Award for Best Feature Film was presented to ‘Sam Bahadur’, a biographical war drama that struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. The film’s director, Meghna Gulzar, accepted the honour from President Droupadi Murmu, expressing gratitude for the recognition and dedicating the win to “the valour and legacy of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.”
